If you’re stepping outside tonight, January 17, 2026, hoping to catch a massive, glowing orb hanging over the horizon, I have some bad news. You’re probably going to be staring at a whole lot of nothing.
Seriously.
The moon is playing hide-and-seek right now. We are currently sitting in the final stretch of the lunar cycle, and the timing is—to put it bluntly—a bit awkward for anyone who isn't an early bird or a professional astronomer with a high-end telescope.
What time is the moon rising today?
For most of the United States and mid-northern latitudes, the moonrise today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, happened around 6:52 A.M. local time.
Think about that. It came up right as the sun was starting to peek over the horizon. Because we are only one day away from a New Moon, the illumination is practically non-existent—we're talking about a 1% waning crescent.
It’s a tiny, razor-thin sliver of light.
By the time the moon gets high enough in the sky to actually be "visible," the sun is already blasting the atmosphere with blue light, completely washing out that fragile 1% glow. Most people won't see it at all. If you missed it this morning, you won't get another chance today; it’s going to set around 3:49 P.M., well before the sun goes down.
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Why you can't see the moon tonight
It’s a common mistake. People think the moon is a nighttime-only object. But the moon doesn't care about our sleep schedules.
Because the moon orbits the Earth, it rises and sets about 50 minutes later every single day. Right now, it’s hugging the sun’s schedule. This is what astronomers call "conjunction." When the moon is this close to the sun in the sky, it rises with the sun and sets with the sun.
Tonight? The moon will be below the horizon for almost the entire night.
If you look up at 8:00 P.M., you’re looking at empty space (well, stars and planets, but no moon). It’s basically "dark sky" season. This is actually a massive win for stargazers who want to see the Milky Way or deep-space nebulae without the moon’s "light pollution" getting in the way.
The New Moon is almost here
Tomorrow, January 18, is the official New Moon. That’s the moment when the moon is positioned directly between the Earth and the Sun. At that point, the side of the moon facing us is 0% illuminated. It’s effectively invisible.
What most people get wrong about moonrise times
I hear it all the time: "The moon always rises at night."
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Nope. Not even close.
The moon is actually in the daytime sky about half the time. We just don't notice it because the sun is so incredibly bright. During the Waning Crescent phase—which is what we have today—the moon is a morning object. You have to be out there in the freezing pre-dawn air to catch it.
If you’re a fan of those big, romantic "harvest moon" vibes where the moon rises right at sunset, you’re going to have to wait about two weeks. That only happens during the Full Moon phase.
How your location changes everything
While 6:52 A.M. is the average for mid-latitudes (like the 40° N line that runs through places like Denver or Philadelphia), your exact "horizon" matters.
- Mountains: If you have peaks to your east, add 15–20 minutes.
- Latitude: Down in the tropics, the moon's path is steeper, making it slightly easier to spot.
- Atmospheric Refraction: Weirdly, the atmosphere actually bends light, so you sometimes see the moon a few minutes before it’s technically above the horizon.
Expert tip: Look for "Earthshine"
If you do manage to spot that tiny crescent tomorrow morning or very late tonight, look at the "dark" part of the moon. Sometimes it glows with a faint, ghostly light.
That isn't sunlight hitting the moon directly. It’s Earthshine.
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Basically, sunlight hits the Earth, bounces off our oceans and clouds, travels all the way to the moon, hits the lunar surface, and bounces back to your eyes. It’s "the old moon in the new moon’s arms." It is honestly one of the coolest things you can see without a telescope.
Is there anything else to see?
Since the moon is a no-show for your Saturday night plans, keep an eye out for Saturn.
Right now, Saturn is hanging out in the southwestern sky after sunset. It’s a steady, yellowish light. It won't twinkle like the stars (that’s how you know it’s a planet). Even though the moon is invisible, the "Lord of the Rings" is putting on a decent show.
Your next steps for skywatching
If you really wanted to see the moon today, you’ve mostly missed the window since it sets in the mid-afternoon. However, you can prepare for the "rebirth" of the cycle.
- Wait until January 19 or 20: This is when the "Waxing Crescent" returns. Look toward the west right after sunset. You’ll see a beautiful, thin smile of a moon.
- Check a local app: Use something like Stellarium or PhotoPills. They use your phone’s GPS to tell you the exact minute the moon clears the trees in your specific backyard.
- Find a dark-sky site: Since there’s no moon tonight, it’s the perfect time to drive away from city lights. The stars will look twice as bright as usual.
Don't bother looking for the moon during your dinner plans tonight—it’s already gone to bed. Grab a star map and enjoy the darkness instead.